How to Read “Whether it succeeds or fails depends on money”
Naru mo naranu mo kane shidai
Meaning of “Whether it succeeds or fails depends on money”
This proverb expresses the reality that success depends on financial resources. No matter how good your ideas are, no matter how motivated you feel, you can’t make things happen without money.
This harsh truth points to a fundamental limitation in life.
People use this saying when starting a business, executing a plan, or trying to overcome difficult situations. It applies when money becomes the deciding factor.
It’s especially relevant when talent and effort alone aren’t enough. You need financial backing to make things work.
Even today, funding remains crucial for startups and projects. Crowdfunding and investor capital are modern forms, but the core truth stays the same.
Money still holds the key to success. This proverb teaches us that ideals alone don’t move the world. You need a realistic perspective.
Origin and Etymology
The exact origin of this proverb isn’t clearly documented. However, it likely became widespread from the Edo period through the Meiji era.
This was when commerce flourished and money economy penetrated every corner of society.
The phrase structure is striking. “Naru mo naranu mo” creates a parallel expression. It presents two extreme outcomes—success or failure.
This emphasizes the crossroads of fate. Then “kane shidai” delivers the conclusion, showing what determines which path you take.
As society shifted from agriculture to commerce, people increasingly felt the importance of financial power. Starting a business, expanding operations, or overcoming hardships all required money.
People witnessed this reality firsthand.
This expression also carries a sense of resignation. Effort and talent aren’t enough—money ultimately speaks loudest.
Some see social criticism in these words. Because it came from ordinary people’s experiences, the phrase has a direct and powerful ring to it.
Usage Examples
- The new product development is excellent, but whether it succeeds or fails depends on money, so fundraising is the top priority
- I recognize his talent, but in this industry whether it succeeds or fails depends on money, so finding sponsors becomes crucial
Universal Wisdom
“Whether it succeeds or fails depends on money” sharply perceives the reality of resource allocation in human society.
Why was this saying born, and why does it persist today? Because people have always felt the deep gap between ideals and reality.
Humans dream, set goals, and burn with passion. But we also live within material constraints.
No matter how wonderful your vision, you need resources to make it real. This contradiction is humanity’s eternal struggle.
This proverb contains both resignation and the courage to face reality. It recognizes that idealism alone doesn’t move the world.
But this isn’t despair. Rather, it’s a turning point toward positive action—”Then let’s figure out how to get the money.”
Our ancestors saw countless cases where talent and effort went unrewarded. They witnessed the unfairness of reality.
At the same time, they saw people with financial power realize their dreams. This observation produced wisdom that rejects emotional idealism.
It teaches the importance of thinking strategically. This is truly realistic and deeply insightful wisdom about human society’s essence.
When AI Hears This
Game theory usually assumes all players can choose strategies under the same rules. But in the real-life game, having or lacking money changes the number of strategies you can choose.
This is “strategic space asymmetry.”
When you fail in business, people with money can try again and again. People without money must exit after one failure.
The same “challenge” strategy becomes different games. For the rich, it’s a “repeated game with distributed risk.” For the poor, it’s a “one-shot game.”
Probabilistically, someone who can try ten times versus someone who can try once has dramatically different success rates. If each attempt has a 30 percent success rate, ten attempts give you over 97 percent chance of succeeding at least once.
What’s more interesting is that money enables purchasing other resources. Buy time through housekeeping services. Buy information through consultants. Buy connections through exclusive clubs.
Money functions as a “universal exchange ticket” convertible to any strategic resource. In game theory terms, this means having a “dominant strategy”—choices that give advantages in any situation.
This proverb sharply points to a structural problem. The game’s outcome isn’t determined by strategic skill but by initial resource amounts.
Lessons for Today
This proverb teaches you wisdom for balancing dreams and reality. Don’t just charge ahead with passion. First, create a financial plan.
This isn’t cold realism. It’s strategic thinking to reliably realize your dreams.
Modern society offers diverse ways to obtain funding. Savings, loans, investor capital, crowdfunding. You can consider the best fundraising method for your goals.
This proverb doesn’t encourage giving up because you lack money. It prompts you to transform the question into “How can I obtain funding?”
You also have the option to start small and gradually expand. Do you need large funding from the start, or can you proceed step by step?
Think wisely. Even with limited funds, paths can open.
What matters is understanding this proverb’s essence and acting positively. Recognize money’s importance, but don’t use it as an excuse.
Start with what you can do now. Your attitude will eventually open the path to great success.
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